Save the Votes

State-by-State Voter Registration Guide

The SAVE Act could change how Americans register to vote. Whether or not it passes, be ready. Find out exactly what documents you need and how to get them in your state.

Passed House Feb 11, 2026 (218-213)Senate vote pending
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What You Can Do Right Now

Whether or not the SAVE Act becomes law, having your documents in order protects your right to vote. Start today.

Check Your Voter Registration

Before anything else, make sure your voter registration is active and your information is current. It only takes a minute.

Check at Vote.gov(opens in new tab)
  1. 1

    Locate your proof-of-citizenship documents

    Find your passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. You'll need originals — photocopies would not be accepted under the SAVE Act.

  2. 2

    Order a passport now

    A U.S. passport is the single most reliable proof of citizenship. Routine processing takes 4–6 weeks; budget $130–$165 for a book.

    Apply at State.gov
  3. 3

    Get your birth certificate if missing

    Order from the vital records office in the state where you were born. Costs $9–$34 depending on the state; processing takes 1–12 weeks.

    Order at USA.gov
  4. 4

    Budget $150–$200 for documents

    Between passport fees, birth certificate fees, and expedited shipping, most people should expect to spend $150–$200. Fee waivers may be available for low-income applicants.

  5. 5

    Contact your senators

    The SAVE Act passed the House and moves to the Senate. Regardless of your position, let your senators know how you feel.

    Find your senators

Explore Your State

Click any state to see its voter registration guide. States are colored by proof-of-citizenship law status.

Interactive map of the United States showing proof-of-citizenship law status by state
Active POC Law
POC Law (Not Enforced)
No POC Requirement

Your State Guide

Select your state to see current voter registration requirements, how to get your birth certificate, and direct links to your election office. States with a red left border currently have proof-of-citizenship laws.

ALAlabamaAKAlaskaAZArizonaARArkansasCACaliforniaCOColoradoCTConnecticutDEDelawareFLFloridaGAGeorgiaHIHawaiiIDIdahoILIllinoisINIndianaIAIowaKSKansasKYKentuckyLALouisianaMEMaineMDMarylandMAMassachusettsMIMichiganMNMinnesotaMSMississippiMOMissouriMTMontanaNENebraskaNVNevadaNHNew HampshireNJNew JerseyNMNew MexicoNYNew YorkNCNorth CarolinaNDNorth DakotaOHOhioOKOklahomaOROregonPAPennsylvaniaRIRhode IslandSCSouth CarolinaSDSouth DakotaTNTennesseeTXTexasUTUtahVTVermontVAVirginiaWAWashingtonWVWest VirginiaWIWisconsinWYWyomingDCDistrict of Columbia

What Documents Would Be Required?

Under the SAVE Act, voters would need to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Only a narrow set of federal documents are accepted.

In the latest House-passed 2026 package, Congress.gov summaries also describe additional voter-ID requirements for in-person voting.

Standard driver’s licenses, REAL IDs, military IDs, and tribal IDs would not qualify as proof of citizenship under this legislation.

U.S. Passport (book or card)

Cost: $130–$165 (book), $30–$65 (card)Time: 4–6 weeks routine, 2–3 weeks expedited

Apply at a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office) with proof of citizenship, photo ID, passport photo, and fees. Renew online or by mail if eligible.

Official Info

U.S. Birth Certificate

Cost: $9–$34 depending on stateTime: 1–12 weeks depending on state

Contact the vital records office in the state where you were born. Order online through VitalChek (authorized vendor) or by mail/in-person at your county or state office.

Official Info

Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570)

Cost: $555 to replace (Form N-565)Time: 5–8 months for replacement

If lost, file Form N-565 with USCIS. Original issued at naturalization ceremony.

Official Info

Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561)

Cost: $1,385 (Form N-600)Time: 6–14 months

For people who derived or acquired citizenship through parents. Apply using Form N-600 with USCIS.

Official Info

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

Cost: $100 for replacement (Form DS-1350)Time: 4–6 weeks

For U.S. citizens born outside the U.S. whose parents reported the birth to a U.S. embassy or consulate. Request replacement from the Department of State.

Official Info

Important Note for Married / Name-Changed Voters

Nearly 8 in 10 married women in the U.S. change their surname. The SAVE Act does not explicitly mention marriage certificates as acceptable proof of citizenship. If your current legal name differs from the name on your birth certificate, a U.S. passport in your current legal name may be the most reliable document to satisfy the requirement.

Special Situations

Some citizens face extra hurdles. Find guidance for your situation below.

The Facts

Numbers that show why proof-of-citizenship laws threaten eligible voters far more than they prevent fraud.

Last verified: March 13, 2026

~150M+

Americans without a valid passport (estimate)

State Dept passport statistics (2025)

~21M

Adults without easy access to citizenship docs

Brennan Center / SSRS (2024)

0.0001%

Rate of suspected noncitizen voting

Brennan Center survey of 42 jurisdictions (2016)

31,000+

Eligible citizens blocked in Kansas

Similar law tested 2013-2018

~80%

of married women who change their surname

Millions may have name mismatch on birth cert

~5

States with active documentary proof-of-citizenship rules (estimate)

As of Mar 13, 2026: AZ, IA, NH, OH (BMV only), WY active; GA, IN, TN conditional; FL, SD, UT newly passed (not yet implemented)

Bill Status Timeline

How SAVE Act and related legislation have progressed through Congress.

  1. May 2024

    SAVE Act (H.R. 8281) introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) [source]

  2. July 2024

    Passed House 221–198 (118th Congress). Died in Senate. [source]

  3. Jan 2025

    Reintroduced as H.R. 22 in 119th Congress [source]

  4. Apr 2025

    Passed House 220–208. Stalled in Senate. [source]

  5. Jan 2026

    SAVE America Act introduced as H.R. 7296 in the 119th Congress. [source]

  6. Feb 2026

    House passed S. 1383 by 218–213 (Roll Call 69), sending it to the Senate. [source]

  7. Feb 25, 2026

    Trump urges passage at State of the Union. Thune signals talking filibuster unlikely. [source]

  8. Mar 2026

    States act independently: SD signs SB 175 into law (emergency clause, effective immediately); FL passes HB 991 (signed by Gov. DeSantis Apr 1, 2026); UT passes HB 209 (signed by Gov. Cox); MS passes SHIELD Act (signed by Gov. Reeves Apr 1, 2026, eff. Jul 1, 2026). KY omnibus HB 139 sent to Gov. Beshear. [source]

  9. Pending

    Senate vote — needs 60 to overcome filibuster.

Take Action

Regardless of your position on the SAVE Act, your senators need to hear from you. The bill's fate will be decided in the Senate.

Find Your Senators →Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121